Abstract:Objective To explore the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D ] level and macroangiopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A total of 716 patients with T2DM were recruited. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), 25(OH)D, glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc), blood lipid, hepatic and renal function indexes, calcium, and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. According to carotid IMT, the patients were divided into IMT thickening group (IMT > 0.9 mm) and IMT normal group (IMT ≤ 0.9 mm). The variance of 25(OH)D between the two groups was compared and the correlation factors were analyzed. Results The 25(OH)D level in the IMT thickening group was significantly lower than that in the IMT normal group (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that age, systolic blood pressure, duration of diabetes, hs-CRP, smoking, LDL-C, HbA1c and waist-to-hip ratio were positively correlated with carotid IMT (P < 0.05); while the level of serum 25(OH)D and estimated glomerular filtration rate were negatively correlated with carotid IMT(P < 0.05). Carotid IMT, HbA1c, duration of diabetes, total cholesterol, parathyroid hormone and fasting blood glucose were negatively correlated with serum 25(OH)D (P < 0.05); while fasting C peptide was positively correlated with 25(OH)D (P < 0.05). Conclusions In the patients with T2DM, serum 25(OH)D deficiency may be associated with the development of macroangiopathy.